Swing over bed limitation for flywheels

[Steve HuckinsParticipant @stevehuckins53362]

Following my previous query regarding holding various parts in a 100 mm chuck, I am now better equipped to deal with anything likely to arise in future now. ( famous last words ! ) Thanks to everyone again for the education.

I have only made stationary engines and have found my choices so far to have comfortably fitted my SC4 lathe.  Also my VM25 mill with 3 axis DRO gives great service.

But I was wondering how on earth would I ever be able to try something larger that had a fly wheel bigger than 810 mm diameter as this is the swing over the bed of this lathe ?  Is there a service which will machine a fly wheel for those in a position like me ?

I think there are quite a few other casting kits I could and would like to make apart from the fly wheels.  Eg the Blackgates Steeple Engine or Reeves Vulcan Beam Engine. All of which I like the look of.

Anyone have the same problem or any solutions ?

Thanks as always

Steve

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Your SC-4 should be able to swing 210mm not 180mm (the SC2 & 3 are 180mm)

But anything larger would need a bigger lathe. There are sometimes adverts in ME&W for machining services or asking on the forum may find a member willing to do it for some pocket money. Early on in my model making journey I found the 200mm swing of my lathe would not cope with the typical 9″ flywheels of many models but found a guy in ME who turned it for me.

[Steve HuckinsParticipant @stevehuckins53362]

Yes quite right Jason but I’m sure I mentioned 210 mm not 180 mm.  Not that it matters though.  The overall problem is still relevant.

I guessed your reply may be my only options. Of course it would be nice to have space and pocket money for a larger lathe but hopefully I can post as you suggest and hope a kind and generous kindred spirit pops up.  I still have a couple of casting kits to keep me occupied for quite a while and will undoubtedly move up a size following those.

Steve

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

810mm is quite large but could possibly be easily machined on a reasonably sized milling machine using a rotary table – but not on your lathe!

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

Pretty sure the 810mm is a typo and should be 210mm. Jason read it as a typo of 180mm. However your option of using a mill and RT to machine a larger diameter than will fit a lathe is a possible solution but you would have to take care to keep the cutting forces low enough to ensure the RT drive gear is not damaged. The cheaper ones can have poor engagement and weak materials. Maybe a very large swing boring head type of arrangement would be a better option if you can make yourself a suitable tool.

Martin C

 

[Steve HuckinsParticipant @stevehuckins53362]

More apologies. Yes I should really have said 210mm not 810mm or anything else.

I think I had 8 inches or so imperial in my head as I still can picture sizes in imperial out of long habit.

Steve

 

 

 

 

[Stuart Smith 5Participant @stuartsmith5]

Steve

You could join a model engineering club. A lot of clubs have a workshop with possibly a larger lathe.

Stuart

[Julie AnnParticipant @julieann]

Use a horizontal mill with the work mounted on the spindle and the tool on the table, like a facing lathe. I can swing 19″ in the gap on my lathe but on the horizontal mill could do double that.

Julie

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